MANILA, 4Sept2013 (PNA) – An alleged victim of torture and mistaken identity on Wednesday filed before the Department of Justice criminal charges against officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and rebel returnees.

In the complaint filed by the victim, Rolly Panesa with the help of lawyers from the National Union of Peoples Lawyer and Karapatan, he charged for violation of the Anti-Torture Law, unlawful arrest and perjury Southern Luzon Command chief Maj. Gen. Alan Luga; Maj. Gen. Eduardo Del Rosario, commanding officer of the Philippine Army 2nd Infantry Division; and former CALABARZON director Chief Supt. James Andres Melad; and some officials of the PNP Region IV, including the Spokesman of Southern Luzon Command Col. Generoso Bolina; and rebel returnees Luis Grajo Rayos, Michael Rojo Alvarado, and Erwin Rosales.

In the complaint of Panesa, he said he was arrested on Oct. 5, 2012 after he was mistaken as Benjamin Mendoza, a high-ranking official of the New People’s Army, wherein he suffered torture from the hands of the respondents in order for him to admit he is the rebel, Mendoza.

Panesa was released from detention last Aug. 29 following the ruling of the Court of Appeals granting his petition for writ of habeas corpus for the case of mistaken identity. (PNA)